Tuesday, July 13, 2010

While we know Glenn Kotche most intimately from his performances and work with Wilco, it certainly should not go unnoticed that he also has a diverse body of other work. In addition to his wonderful solo records, one of Kotche's most notable projects is his collaboration with bassist Darin Gray, On Fillmore.

The pair have been releasing records for almost eight years, with some sizable breaks in between. Fortunately, they saw fit to release another record, the aptly named Extended Vacation, at the end of last year. This week the pair are making some rare live appearances in support of the album, including a stop on Thursday at Le Poisson Rouge.

Extended Vacation is a unique, abstract experimentation in soundscapes, ranging from ambience and textures, to lovely melodies from both the bass and vibes. While it's nothing like Kotche's Wilco work, it's unquestionably a treat for the ears (Check out "Master Moon", above). Combine that with the fact that Kotche is a consumate live performer, and well: this is one you won't want to miss.